Resources – To read and to listen to

Episode 118 | The TAP Project: A Canadian Judge’s Experience in Armenia

In this episode, Christine O’Doherty (Lawyer & CIAJ’s Executive Director) welcomes The Honourable Justice Carole A. Beaton (Nova Scotia Court of Appeal), to discuss her involvement in the Technical Assistance Partnership Project – Federal Judicial Affairs Canada (TAP-FJA). The two sat down together in Armenia in May 2026, on the sidelines of the mission, to record this conversation. Drawing from her exchanges with local judges and court officials, Justice Beaton reflects on the importance of judicial independence, the value of cross-jurisdictional dialogue, and Canada’s role in supporting justice reform abroad. She also shares what motivates her participation in these missions and how this experience has shaped her perspective on international judicial cooperation.

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Episode 115 | Indigenous Justice and Democracy: Tap Project, Perspectives From Ecuador and Canada

Hosted by Christine O’Doherty, Lawyer and CIAJ Executive Director, this episode features Dr. Jhoel Escudero, President of the Constitutional Court of Ecuador, in the context of the Technical Assistance Partnership (TAP) Project led by Federal Judicial Affairs Canada.

Dr. Jhoel Escudero discusses why the TAP Project was timely for Ecuador’s justice system and how sustained dialogue with Indigenous communities has shaped institutional understanding. The discussion touches on the constitutional recognition of Indigenous justice, the challenges courts face in harmonizing legal systems, and the impact of unprecedented consultations bringing together judges, Indigenous leaders, and justice actors. Reflections from Dr. Jhoel Escudero’s visit to Canada and his participation in international conversations on democracy and judicial independence round out the episode.

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Episode 101 | The TAP Project: Chief Justice Marc Richard on Justice, Ethics, and Reform

In this episode, CIAJ’s Executive Director Christine O’Doherty welcomes The Honourable Chief Justice J.C. Marc Richard (of New Brunswick) to talk about his involvement in the Technical Assistance Partnership (TAP) Project. Drawing from his experience in Mongolia and Moldova, he discusses the importance of judicial independence and ethics. He addresses questions about Canada’s role in strengthening global justice, the challenges of eradicating corruption, and the value of international judicial cooperation. He reflects on what motivates his involvement and how these experiences shape his perspective on global judicial cooperation.

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Episode 98 | The TAP Project: Insights from Ecuador’s Exploration of Canada’s Indigenous Justice System

Discover the impact of the Technical Assistance Program (TAP) through the experience of the Ecuadorian delegation at CIAJ’s 2024 Symposium on Indigenous Justice System. Hosted by Christine O’Doherty, the Honourable Milton Enrique Velasquez Diaz, Justice of the National Court of Justice of Ecuador, explores how TAP facilitates exchanges between judicial experts and justice system actors, while supporting global reform efforts. This dialogue highlights lessons learned from the Canadian system on indigenous justice issues, and their relevance in an international context.

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Episode 73: The TAP Project: Building Legal and Judicial Capacities in Developing Countries, with Errolyn Humphreys

How can we contribute to strengthening judicial systems in developing countries? In this episode, CIAJ is welcoming FJA’s Deputy Commissioner Errolyn Humphreys to learn more on the Technical Assistance Partnership (TAP) Project, a five-year initiative that leverages Canadian judicial expertise to provide targeted support in areas critical for upholding the rule of law and ensuring transparent, accountable governance.

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Armenia: Justice, Beauty, and Shared Aspirations

In September 2025, Christine O’Doherty, Lawyer and CIAJ Executive Director, travelled to Armenia as part of the Technical Assistance Partnership Project. The trip led to rich discussions with judges, ministers, prosecutors, police officers, and members of civil society.

In this post, she offers both a professional and deeply human perspective on this meaningful experience.

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The Hidden Foundation of Economic Prosperity: Why Strong Courts Matter for Trade, Investment, and Shared Growth

Why is the rule of law the invisible foundation of prosperity? Growth is not based solely on roads and ports. It is based on trust: knowing that a contract will be honoured, that a dispute will be resolved fairly, that the rules apply to everyone.
For 30 years, Canada has been helping partners in Bangladesh, Mongolia, Mexico and elsewhere to strengthen their judicial systems. The result? Small businesses that can finally compete, long-term investment and shared growth.

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Bridging Justice Traditions: Reflections on Canada–Ecuador Dialogue

How can Indigenous and state justice systems coexist on equal footing?
As part of Global Affairs Canada’s Technical Assistance Partnership Project, Canadian judges recently joined Ecuadorian colleagues and Indigenous authorities to exchange perspectives and explore new paths for dialogue and collaboration. From high-level meetings in Canada to on-the-ground consultations in Quito and within the Indigenous community of La Cocha, this first stage of the project highlighted both challenges and inspiring opportunities for intercultural justice.

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Canada Assists Other Democracies by Sharing Its Judicial Talent, by James Hendry

Find out how Canada is strengthening democracy abroad through the Technical Assistance Partnership Project. Supported by Global Affairs Canada, this project helps developing countries improve their judicial systems by sharing Canadian expertise. Read our contributor James Hendry’s article to find out more about initiatives in Mongolia and elsewhere.

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